Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-08-31
CASCADE COUNTY.
A Strong Argument in Favor of the
Proposed Change - Facts
and Figures.

measure will ask that it be consideration
its merits There will be some opposition
to the movement (there always is opposi-
ton to county division measuresi; some
people also always oppose change OF any
kind or character. In this instance the
strongest opposition will emanate from
few residents of Sun River Crossing who
have advocated a county division scheme
for years, but who will now change their
tactics because that town may not become
the seat of the new county, although it
would derive great benefits in many ways
from the proposed consolidation of parts
of Choteau, Lewis and Clarke and Meagh-
er into one compact, prosperous county.
FIJI PUBLIC CONVENIENCE.
1t is for the convenience of the entire
people residing within the boundaries Of
the proposed new county to have it Great
ed. Instead of three county governments
to be supported, there will be four, but
the rapid increase of wealth and popula-
ton more thar makes up for the extra
costs that may be incurred in forming the
county. Choteau county has $500 600
taxable property. and an Indebtedness OF
$4,000. Cascade county would have
taxable property to begin with, estimated
at S., 100000, which in the succeeding fiscal
wear would exceed $3,000.000. Now, if
the assessable property within the boun-
daries OF the proposed new county be suf-
ficient to defray the expense of carrying
on the county government, without in
creasing the rate of taxation, then the
convenience and desire of the residents
therein should be considered and the
county created. There would be from 100
to 1870 miles of railroad within Cascade
county, the road-bed of which would be
taxed at about 5000 per mile, and the
rolling stock would add still more to the
assessment list. So the taxes derived
solely from the railroad would defray In
great part the expenses of running the
county machinery.
THE COUNTY IS GROWING.
Moreover the county is rapidly settling
up and increasing in wealth and in popu-
Great Falls. which has grown up in about
two years and has population OF 200 or
more and the surrounding country has
also increased in similar ratio. Weekly
the ranchmen are proving up on their
claims. which become assessable as soon
as proved up on, adding to the assessment
list. (By the way, it would be more con-
venient to many people of Cascade county
to prove up at Great Falls than at Benton.
Choteau county will not be injured by our
separation, for we will assume our share
of its Indebtedness. 1t is likewise in
creasing in wealth and population, and
will have 200 miles of railroad after the
Cascade section is ceded. 1t is true
enough that there were heavy losses in
cattle last winter in Choteau county. but
the railroad property will counter balance
all that. The sheep and horses have in,
creased and add to the assessment roll
So Choteau county would be rather
| strengthened than weakened by the pro-
posed division.
LEWIS AND CLARKE WILLING.
| As to the panhandle of Lewis ane
Clarke that will no doubt be cheerfullJ
given up by that county, as the expenses
| are heavy on account of its great distance
| from the county seat at Helena. Many
| residents say that it would be better tt
| live ten or twenty miles from the county
! seat than to live So miles, because they
| could make round trip 10 a day insteae
| of week.
| A large part of the expenses of tht
county is included in the criminal casel
| for witnesses and juror fees. am in
formed that one criminal case cost thu
| county of Meagher the sum of $1,000 ii
witness fees alone. In this county VI
nesses often travel 200 miles or more il
attending court. In addition to sucl
| heavy expenses to the county is the ex
| pense incurred by those who have ordi
| nary business at the county seat.
READY TO JOIN Us.
| The residents of Meagher county VIII,
4 are to be in Cascade, have the almost i'm
passable Belt mountains to cross in ords
to get to the county seat, and during par
of the year they are practically cut Of
from their county seat. So these people
eagerly desire the new county. The gen
tleman who circulated the petitions anon,
them say that the people are unanimousl,
in favor of it, whereas, last spring a fey
objected. The people of Great Falls, SAINT
Coulee and most other places are unani
nous for Cascade county. When the pc
titions for Cascade county are presenteA
to the legislature We apprehend that hon
orable body will give them due and jus
consideration, and will set aside the frive
lous objections OF few chronic kicker
who may seek to frustrate the will of th
majority, purely on the grounds OF pre-
| iudice or personal animosity.
/ JoHs W. STANTON.
| Great Falls, August 80, 1887.